Wings of Tomorrow: Pivotal’s eVTOL Frontier

In the colorful Silicon Valley, Pivotal has been manifesting the future of personal flight since 2008. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Pivotal has established itself as a leader in the aerospace industry. This dedication was globally recognized in 2024 when Pivotal won a respected World Future Awards in the Aerospace category for Best Advanced eVTOL Solution.

Pivotal’s journey began with a visionary calculation by its founder: the belief that a light electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft could be designed, produced, and propelled into the air. Supported by breakthroughs in energy density, lighter and more efficient batteries, and advancements in electric propulsion systems, the founder’s vision became a reality. By 2011, after three years of rigorous research and development, Pivotal’s founder climbed aboard his invention and made history by being the first to fly an eVTOL aircraft.

Pivotal designs, develops, and manufactures feature-rich light eVTOL aircraft with powerful capabilities and intuitive controls. These aircraft are created for individual owners who crave the excitement of personal aerial exploration.

Pivotal aircraft comply with FAA Part 103 (Ultralight) category in the United States for flight in Class G airspace. Under this regulation, no pilot license is required.

Pivotal’s eVTOLs are the first and only human-piloted electric aircraft flying regularly outside of China. The company is also the first U.S. eVTOL manufacturer to meet the needs of customers across multiple segments, leading the market adoption of this revolutionary technology.

Beyond the innovative technology and novel aircraft design, Pivotal has played a crucial role in normalizing the use of electric VTOL flying vehicles in both consumer and defense markets. Since 2021, the company has publicly demonstrated human-operated flights, captivating hundreds of thousands of spectators. These demonstrations not only showcased the aircraft’s capabilities but also highlighted the thrilling experience it offers. For private individuals, these aircraft provide the excitement of exploring the world from new heights, leaving every pilot with a beaming smile.

In June 2023, Pivotal reached a significant milestone by becoming the first company to sell and deliver single-seat fixed-wing eVTOLs to customers in the United States.

In the defense sector, Pivotal’s tilt-aero-architecture is currently under evaluation by the U.S. Air Force, promising a myriad of benefits across diverse military applications. The versatility and advanced capabilities of these aircraft are being tested to solve real-world challenges, underscoring that the future holds many possibilities for this technology.

The culmination of over a decade of innovation is embodied in Pivotal’s first production vehicle, the Helix. Announced in October 2023, the Helix builds on the foundation laid by Pivotal’s groundbreaking prototype eVTOL, the BlackFly, which was unveiled to the public in 2018. The BlackFly, the first commercially available eVTOL aircraft in the United States, dazzled audiences with its vertical takeoffs, aerial maneuvers, and precise landings. This legacy of innovation continues with the Helix, which promises to usher in a new era of pilot adventurers, providing an immersive and exhilarating flying experience.

As Pivotal trains and supports a growing number of customers, it continues to discover new use cases for the Helix and its light eVTOL architecture.

Safety is paramount at Pivotal. Safety is embedded in the aircraft’s triple modular redundant flight controls design, in the redundancy and fault tolerance throughout the design, then in development, testing, manufacturing, training, flight monitoring, and customer support. Pivotal’s careful approach and comprehensive training program with highly skilled instructors prepare every pilot to fly with confidence and peace of mind.

With well over six hundred human flights completed, thousands of miles flown, dozens of aircraft manufactured, and nearly 30 trained pilots, Pivotal is at the forefront of redefining personal mobility. The company’s dedication to safety, innovation, and customer satisfaction ensures that every flight is not just a journey but an extraordinary adventure. Pivotal’s light eVTOL aircraft are poised to transform the way we think about aviation, delivering an unmatched flying experience that leaves every pilot with an indelible smile.